Knee injury sidelines Spain and Real Madrid defender Arbeloa for 6-8 weeks

Madrid: Real Madrid defender Alvaro Arbeloa will be sidelined for nearly two months by a knee injury, putting the Spain international's participation at the World Cup in jeopardy.

Arbeloa says his right knee "is worse than thought but if everything goes well, I'll be out from six-to-eight weeks."

The 31-year-old left back has been a regular for Spain since it won the 2008 European Championship, but was left out of coach Vicente del Bosque's last squad list.

Nevertheless, the former Liverpool player hopes to return by May "and hopefully I make it back in time to play in the Champions League final if Madrid make it and the World Cup if I'm picked."

Arbeloa has one goal from 28 appearances for the Spanish leaders this season.